Juddmonte Farms' homebred Juliet Foxtrot (GB) took the lead out of the gate and cruised to a two-length victory over Tamahere (FR) to win the 33rd running of the Grade 1, $300,000 Coolmore Jenny Wiley Stakes for fillies and mares on a soggy Saturday afternoon at Keeneland in Lexington, Ky.
The performance marked the 16th graded stakes victory at Keeneland for Juddmonte. In honor of the historic milestone, Juddmonte received a Keeneland Pitcher as part of Keeneland's signature Milestone Trophy Program. Juddmonte becomes the fourth owner to win a Keeneland Pitcher.
It is the fourth victory in the race for Juddmonte, whose previous triumphs came with Tates Creek in 2002 and Intercontinental (GB) in 2004 and 2005.
Trained by Brad Cox and ridden by Tyler Gaffalione, Juliet Foxtrot covered the 1 1/16 miles on a yielding turf course in 1:44.51. It is the first victory in the race for Cox and Gaffalione and was the third winner of the afternoon for Cox.
Gaffalione put Juliet Foxtrot right on the lead and led the field of six through fractions of :24.35, :49.45 and 1:13.72 with Tamahere tracking in second.
Juliet Foxtrot maintained a daylight margin into the stretch and never was threatened in the run down the lane.
The victory, the first Grade 1 for Juliet Foxtrot, was worth $180,000. A 6-year-old daughter of Dansili (GB) out of the King's Best mare Kilo Alpha (GB), Juliet Foxtrot increased her earnings to $701,831 with a record of 20-6-2-3.
Sent off as the favorite, Juliet Foxtrot returned $5.40, $3.40 and $2.80. Tamahere, ridden by Irad Ortiz Jr., returned $4 and $3.20 and finished a neck in front of La Signare (FR), who paid $3.80 to show under John Velazquez.
It was another three-quarters of a length back to Etoile (FR), who was followed in order by Maxim Rate and Micheline.
Post-race quotes:
Tyler Gaffalione (winning rider of Juliet Foxtrot [GB])
“She really relished the ground. They said that they worked her a couple weeks back over a turf course similar to this and they said she just ate it up. As soon as she broke, I could feel that I had a ton of horse and she was loving every bit of it. I just put my hands down when she broke and she came right back to me. It was an easy ride today.”
Garrett O'Rourke (of winning owner Juddmonte Farms)
“I think there was a confidence that she would be able to handle the soft turf because she had been here a couple years ago and we had a filly that we knew, Gaining (GB), that had won here, and we knew Gaining liked the soft turf and they had worked together on soft turf.
“Tessa (Bisha, trainer Brad Cox's assistant) and Brad both said she loves this. That's a while ago. She's run some great races since. She has been Grade 1-placed and placed in this race last year. It was brave on behalf of everybody at Juddmonte to make the move to keep her (in training) for one more year to try to win that elusive Grade 1. This is huge for the mare. She looked absolutely magnificent today, and for as consistent of a performer as she's been, I just think she thoroughly deserves it, which makes it all the more sweet for us.”
On Juddmonte earning its 16th graded stakes win here to receive a Keeneland Pitcher – part of the track's signature Milestone Trophy Program. Only three other owners have earned the Keeneland Pitcher: Claiborne Farm [Fall 1968], Bwamazon Farm [Spring 1983] and William S. Farish [Spring 2003].
“It's taken a lot of effort over the years and a tremendous amount of commitment from (the late) Prince Khalid and now his family and sons. It's a great tribute for the effort and planning and perseverance of the whole operation. And it's been a fun ride.”
Irad Ortiz Jr. (rider of runner-up Tamahere [FR])
“She was sitting in a good spot and when the horse in front opened up entering the far turn, we ended up being second best.”
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